What is Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy?Many people have at least a passing familiarity with chiropractic care for humans. Many, however, may not be aware that similar care is available for their pets! Veterinary Spinal Manipulation(VSM) can be used for many reasons including easing pain, assisting with acute injuries and giving athletic pets an edge by helping to keep their bodies tuned. For some pets, the benefits of VSM are immediate and visible.How Does it Work?Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapists (VSMT) carefully manipulate joints to restore correct alignment, which improves nerve function throughout the body. Through examination, Dr. Margaret aims to identify and then treat subluxations, or misalignments of joints. These misalignments result in a change in nerve function, which may present as limping, behavior issues, reduced performance, pain and/or numerous other changes and problems.Does My Pet Need Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Care?All pets can benefit from VSM care as well as a complete physical examination. Healthy, normal, sport or working dogs can benefit from VSM as a tool in striving to reach peak performance and maintain an excellent quality of life. Older pets may be able to achieve reduction in pain and increased mobility, leading to a better quality of life with possible reductions in the number and amount of medications used to treat these conditions. Dr. Margaret may also be able to utilize VSM in conjunction with traditional therapies to improve the overall effectiveness of the treatment plan.Does it Hurt? Generally, no. Most pets visibly relax during a VSMT adjustment and many happily greet their VSMT at their next visit! If your pet is already in pain, the VSMT may need to work on that area of your pet's body and there may be tender points. The discomfort is very brief and your pet should feel much better afterwards.How Long Will it Take?Depending on your pet's condition, your first appointment may take 40 – 60 minutes. Follow-ups are generally quicker and are generally completed within 30 minutes.